Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
Please mark your calendar for the best day of the school year! Our SDL Showcase returns on Thursday, March 30th. Every student will be presenting that day, and I would love to have a huge crowd of parents! Here is the schedule.
8:15-8:45 AM Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Graders
9:00-9:45 AM High School Students
10:00-10:30 AM 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders
1:15-2:00 PM Middle School Students
Make sure you plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the presentations start so that there is ample time for you to get signed in. Don't forget to bring your ID. Please complete the RSVP Form HERE if you plan on attending. This will help the Welcome Center staff know how many family members to expect so you can get signed in and arrive promptly to your student's presentation.
I've shared some photos from our last SDL Showcase on March 6, 2020, before Covid required that we press pause on this important facet of our magnet program theme.
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
Spirit Week!
JCPS Comprehensive School Survey
JCPS Families,
Families, please take a moment to complete this important survey and let your voices be heard. It’s completely anonymous, and results are used to improve our schools—everything from school climate and curriculum to safety and more.
Take the survey now at https://assessment.jefferson.kyschools.us/surveyTool/cssParentLandingPage.aspx.
Thank you to those that have already completed the CSS. Our data shows that 26% of our parents have completed the survey. If you are having any issues accessing the survey please email Drew Paige (andrew.paige@jefferson.kyschools.us)
The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday, March 30th.
Thank you for sharing your feedback and supporting JCPS.
Costa Rica Summer Trip
Dear Brown School Families,
Did your student miss the sign up for the Costa Rica Trip? We have 3 student spots still left open for travel in the Summer of 2024! Your student is invited to join us on this amazing educational travel experience to Costa Rica. When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and I would love to have your student join me on this adventure. Students in grades 7-11 are invited to join.
If you would like to learn more, you can come and hear all the details, including the itinerary, activities, academic opportunities, and the cost of our trip at our informational meeting Thursday March 23rd at 6:00pm. The meeting will take place via Google Classroom. Use this link to join the meeting on Thursday: https://meet.google.com/yhe-gfvj-qsi
There are only 3 spots left on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Thanks,
Dr. Kat
Weekly Columns
Roll, Run, and Walk Move-A-Thon
The Roll, Run, & Walk Move-A-Thon Fundraiser starts on Friday. That is when the website will open and paperwork will go home with your child. The actual event is on April 24th.
We have set up the FAQ page to answer any questions you may have. We will add to it any questions that come to us as this fundraiser progresses. Please click here for the FAQ & info.
Every child will get a t-shirt - so in order to make sure we have the correct size - please fill out this consent form. Even if you don't want your child to have their own Move-A-Thon page - they still get a shirt and we still need to know the size.
Click Here to Fill out the Form to Get Your Child's Free T-Shirt!!!!!!!!
All Move-A-Thon Fundraiser proceeds go to improvements for Peace Park and that benefits all our students. Please help us make this a great event!
Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Basketball and Cheer- We will announce our make up Pep Rally soon, as we look for dates after spring break. Cant wait to celebrate these awesome athletes!
Volleyball- We are going to start up volleyball for our 4th and 5th graders, after spring break. Depending on our response, we may open the opportunity up for younger players. Practices will be every Wednesday from April 12th through May 17th from 3:15-4:15. The practice will consist of 45 minutes of drills and instruction and 15 minutes of scrimmages. Any 4th or 5th grade student that is interested, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDorY3CNLnGByg4yTgk3HptIPTyjnwB_LTjzPmWasiT7y7qw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Middle School Athletics
Advertising Banners for the gym can now be purchased. The banners are 3X5 and will be displayed in the gym for all of next school year. Please see the attachment for more information and if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor/advertise with us, please pass it along. LINK
Track and Field has its first middle school meet on March 20th at Norton Healthcare and Sports Track. Sara R. had a second place finish in the girls 6th grade 400, Skyla T. took the top spot in the girls 6th grade 200, and Lola F. was 1st in the 8th grade discuss.
Soccer practice started has started at George Rogers Clark Park for both boys and girls teams. Our game schedule is out and linked here (soccer schedule). Games start the week after Spring Break.
Boys Volleyball is open to 7th and 8th grade boys this spring. We are excited to offer the first boys volleyball team in school history. If you are interested, contact Kathleen Mattingly at kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Cheerleading is looking for a new middle school coach for next year. We would like to have one ready to go as soon as possible so we can order uniforms in August and begin practice. If you know of anyone interested who would be a great candidate, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tennis had their first match of the season on Thursday, 3/16 against Atherton at Stansbury Park. Lia M. won her first ever high school singles match as a 7th grader! Also, check the schedule for a get-together next Wednesday 3/29. Our next match is Thursday at 4pm at Jeffersontown High School. We have a talented group of players this year and an exciting schedule.
High School Athletics
Advertising Banners for the gym can now be purchased. The banners are 3X5 and will be displayed in the gym for all of next school year. Please see the attachment for more information and if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor/advertise with us, please pass it along. LINK
Softball had their first game last night and played great! The came out on top 16-11 against Moore. Every player scored a run. They are looking forward to getting back out on the field on tonight (Wednesday) at 5:00 at Seneca.
Boys Volleyball- We are excited to offer the first boys volleyball team in school history. If there are any students in grades 7th-12th that is interested, contact Kathleen Mattingly at kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Baseball had a good first game against Waggener last week, but came up a little short. They played Doss last night and had a big 14-9 win. We will play at Western Thursday night at 5:00.
Track and Field- had a great meet at St. X last night. This team is going to have a great year!!
Tennis had their first match of the season on Thursday, 3/16 against Atherton at Stansbury Park. Vivien E. and Lia M. won their singles matches and Ava Bosley and Evangleine C. won their doubles match. Also, check the schedule for a get-together next Wednesday 3/29. Our next match is Thursday at 4pm at Jeffersontown High School. We have a talented group of players this year and an exciting schedule.
Elementary Counselor
Visit Miss Christy's (new & improved!) Counseling Corner to find out more about upcoming events, testing, Star Students, Advance Program & Gifted/Talented, Report Cards (go home w/ Elementary School students Mon, Mar 27), Student Support Request Form, Parent Toolbox, Family Resources, Calming Strategies (which we all probably need right about now!), and so much more!
Middle School Counselor
I can not wait to see our middle schoolers shine in the SDL showcase next Thursday, the 30th!! Public speaking can cause many of us anxiety though, so please practice with your child and remind them to take a deep and slow breath before they speak.
The Student Support Team has been finalizing speaking with students who took the BESS screener in February. Students who were identified through the screener as needing supports will be receiving letters in the mail that go over their screener results. If you have any questions, reach out through the Student Support Request form.
High School Counselor
April 11th there is a FREE Webinar about Vaping for parents! For more info, click HERE!
The Student Support Team has been finalizing speaking with students who took the BESS screener in February. Students who were identified through the screener as needing supports will be receiving letters in the mail that go over their screener results. If you have any questions, reach out through the Student Support Request form.
The CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is available at Brown in the Ursa Lab. It is a short test (60-90 minutes) that can earn your student college credits in a variety of subjects that are accepted at most colleges and universities. There are programs that students can complete on their own to earn vouchers to take the test for free. Our own Mason S. finished World Civilizations on Modern States, earned a free voucher and passed the CLEP exam, earning him 3 credit hours at the University of Louisville! This is a great example of self-directed learning. If you have questions about this program, email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Mental Health Practitioner
Hey Brown Bears!
We're getting closer to the end of the year, and that means testing! If your student is anything like I was as a student, then preparing for a test can be a very stressful experience. Testing anxiety is one of the more common causes of anxiety in students and families of young people. While we can't get rid of all of the anxiety, we can use some useful coping strategies to help mitigate those feelings. Here are some useful tips/strategies:
Get enough sleep! It's recommended for students to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night even when not testing, but especially when you need to use your brain!
Get a nutritious breakfast. Eating breakfast has been shown to have a positive physical and mental benefit, but eating the proper nutrients can help our brains and bodies work at their best.
Take questions one at a time. It can be overwhelming when we see a long list of questions on a test, but if we look at one at a time it can be more manageable.
It's ok to skip a question and come back to it! If you don't know an answer, move on to the next one and come back when you have time.
Take short breaks. While you might not be allowed to leave the classroom, you can take a short break at your desk if you are feeling overwhelmed. Breaks have been shown to help reset our mindset, and give us the ability to reassess and move on.
Of course if your student struggles with testing anxiety, feel free to reach out to the student support team using our request form. Before we know it, it will be summer break. We've got this!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center
99.7 DJX and B96.5 are sponsoring a Project Prom on March 29th, from 5-8 p.m. Students will be able to purchase a gently used prom dress for $10. All proceeds will benefit The Beautiful As You Are Foundation. The event will be at the Jefferson Venue, 715 Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 47130.
Next Wednesay, March 29, our 7th grade students will be participating in a Leadership Conference. Ted Wiese from Carmel, Indiana will be here to provide a 3 hour team building workshop for our students. Ted presents all over the United States and we are excited to have him here at Brown!
STAR STUDENTS
Click HERE to watch the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
Connections
SBDM Update
There is a special-called meeting coming up on March 28th at 3:00 PM in the SST Conference Room. HERE is the agenda.
Cultural Connections
Today is the first day of Ramandan. Ramadan Kareem to all who celebrate!
Family Matters
Spring Break Fun
Looking for something to do for Spring Break? Our community partner, LCCC Youth Development Program, has some amazing opportunities for students ages 6-18!
For more information, you may call 502.583.8821 or visit www.lcccnews.org